According to BETS-1, “The maximum power output of the transmitter into its antenna, with no modulation, shall not produce a field strength level of more than 100 μV/m as measured at a distance of 30 meters, compared to the USA FCC standard of 250 uV/m at 3 meters. That might seem minuscule, but it could be said in a very crude way that Canada allows more than five times the power.

One such operator is VankleekFM a privately owned Ultra Low Power FM transmitter located in the village of Vankleek Hill, Ontario. The owner of the service, Jean Sarrazin, maintains a license with Industry Canada to use the frequency, 88.7 as an unprotected, "local public information service" and describes the operation as follows.

As a low power station the service is exempt from most CRTC content requirements as long as it respects the CRTS's exemption order defined by the following criteria:

Operates between 88 -107.5 MHZ,

Field strength measurements at 30 metres must not exceed 100 uv/m

Meets all technical requirements of Industry Canada,

Originates all programming,

Does not rebroadcast the programming of another (broadcast) undertaking,

I have ordered an F-S variable power 0.1 to 0.5 W FM Transmitter with the little antenna that screws into the back of the transmitter. Does this fit into the parameters for unlicensed FM broadcasting in Canada? If so does one still need to apply to the CRTC or Industry Canada for any sort of permission to transmit?

Hi Bruce - according to the FAQ linked above your transmitter would not meet the general requirements if you are located in an urban area. You might meet the 100uV/meter @ 30 meters (far more liberal than the US, btw) with a very conservative antenna and if you wanted to try that you could apply to CRTC and give it a try. If you are in a remote area you might have an opportunity to use that transmitter with the rural exemption. You would probably be best served reviewing the above linked FAQ and following the instructions there before you put the fire in that wire.